Dianthus plant named &#39;Red Dwarf&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Dianthus named ‘Red Dwarf’ that is characterized by vigor, red flowers with a dark red center, a compact cushion habit and a long flowering season. In combination these traits set ‘Red Dwarf’ apart from all other existing varieties of Dianthus known to the inventor.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application for this new invention is co-pending with oneother application entitled ‘Neon Star’. ‘Neon Star’ is derived from thesame breeding program having the same inventor and filing date as thepresent application entitled Dianthus ‘Red Dwarf’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a new and distinct dwarf varietyof Carnation that is grown for its vigor, red flower with a darker redcenter, long flowering season and compact tight cushion habit. The newcultivar is known botanically as Dianthus L. hybrid and will be referredto hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘Red Dwarf’.

[0003] ‘Red Dwarf’ is the product of a breeding program conducted by theinventor in a cultivated area of Houndspool, Dawlish, Devon, UnitedKingdom. The primary focus of the breeding program was to produce dwarfvarieties exhibiting a wide range of flower colors, and perfume scentedflowers with a long flowering season. The breeding program wasestablished in 1969 in a cultivated area of Houndspool, Dawlish, Devon,United Kingdom. ‘Red Dwarf’ is one seedling that resulted from a largenumber of seedlings produced by Dianthus ‘Brehemen’ (unpatented).

[0004] ‘Red Dwarf’ is a hybrid produced by induced hybridization and wasselected by the inventor in 1996 for its vigor, red flower with darkerred center, compact tight cushion habit and long flowering season. Themale parent is an unidentified Dianthus and the female parent is thecrimson flowered Dianthus ‘Brehemen’ (unpatented). ‘Red Dwarf’ isdistinguishable from the female parent plant by its flower color, longerflowering season and more compact habit.

[0005] In comparison, the plants most similar to ‘Red Dwarf’ areDianthus ‘Gipsy Star’ (unpatented) and Dianthus ‘Fusilier’ (unpatented).‘Red Dwarf’ differs from the comparison varieties in greater vigor,larger flowers and longer flowering season.

[0006] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplishedin 1996 by the inventor using softwood shoot cuttings in a cultivatedarea of Houndspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom. Since that time thecharacteristics of the new cultivar have been determined stable and arereproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and representthe characteristics of the new cultivar ‘Red Dwarf’. These traits incombination distinguish this cultivar from all other commercialvarieties known to the inventor. ‘Red Dwarf’ has not been tested underall possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions.

[0008] 1. Dianthus ‘Red Dwarf’ exhibits a compact, tight cushion growthhabit.

[0009] 2. Dianthus ‘Red Dwarf’ exhibits scented red flowers with darkerred centers.

[0010] 3. Dianthus ‘Red Dwarf’ is vigorous.

[0011] 4. Dianthus ‘Red Dwarf’ reaches 5 cm. in height and 20-25 cm. inwidth at maturity.

[0012] 5. Dianthus ‘Red Dwarf’ exhibits a long flowering season.

[0013] 6. Dianthus ‘Red Dwarf’ is hardy to minus 15° Centigrade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings illustrate the distinguishing traits ofthe new cultivar ‘Red Dwarf’. The drawing on sheet 1 illustrates anentire mature plant. The drawing on sheet 2 is a close-up view of theflower. Both drawings are photographs taken of plants in Houndspool,Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom in October 2001. No chemicals were usedin treating the illustrated plants. Both drawings were made usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance they are as accurate as possibleby conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0015] The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar ‘RedDwarf’. Data was collected from mature plants in the Houndspool,Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom. The color determinations are inaccordance with the RHS Color Chart, 2001 Edition, of The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, except where general color termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used.

[0016] Botanical classification: Dianthus L. hybrid ‘Red Dwarf’.

[0017] Commercial classification: Herbaceous perennial.

[0018] Use: Container and landscape plant.

[0019] Parentage: ‘Red Dwarf’ is a hybrid that resulted from the inducedhybridization of the following plants:

[0020]Female parent.—Dianthus ‘Brehemen’ (unpatented).

[0021]Male parent.—Unidentified Dianthus.

[0022] Plant description:

[0023]Bloom period.—All year but particularly April to October.

[0024]Plant habit.—Plants form a tight, compact cushion.

[0025]Plant sexuality.—Hermaphrodite.

[0026]Height.—5 cm. in height.

[0027]Width.—20-25 cm. in width.

[0028]Hardiness.—Hardy to minus 15° Centigrade.

[0029]Vigor.—Vigorous. 175% of ‘Whatfield Magenta’.

[0030]Type.—Perennial herb.

[0031]Root system.—Fine, fibrous, deep rooting system.

[0032]Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished with softwood shootcuttings.

[0033]Cultural requirements.—Plant in full sun and well drained loam orsandy loam of good physical structure with a pH of 6.5-7.0. This varietyneeds a high light intensity and long days.

[0034]Diseases and Pests.—Susceptible to known Dianthus pests anddisease but no other susceptibilities are known to the inventor.

[0035]Time required to produce roots.—2-3 weeks is needed to produceroots on initial cutting.

[0036]Temperature recommended for cuttings to produce roots.—The airtemperature required is 15-18° Centigrade and the base heat required is21° Centigrade.

[0037]Crop time.—4-7 months in needed for a rooted cutting to reach afinished one-gallon container size.

[0038] Stem:

[0039]Shape.—Cylindrical.

[0040]Stem dimensions.—24 cm. in length and 0.25 cm. in diameter.

[0041]Stem surface.—Glabrous and waxy.

[0042]Stem color.—122A.

[0043]Branching.—Numerous basal breaks.

[0044]Internode length.—4-5 cm. between nodes.

[0045]Node color.—133B.

[0046]Node dimensions.—0.50 cm. in diameter and 0.50 cm. in height.

[0047] Foliage:

[0048]Type.—Evergreen.

[0049]Shape.—Linear.

[0050]Division.—Simple.

[0051]Apex.—Aristulate.

[0052]Base.—Concave.

[0053]Venation pattern.—Parallel but not visible to the naked eye.

[0054]Vein color (abaxial surface).—137A.

[0055]Vein color (adaxial surface).—133A.

[0056]Margins.—Rough and serrate.

[0057]Attachment.—Sessile.

[0058]Stipules.—None.

[0059]Petiole.—None.

[0060]Arrangement.—Opposite.

[0061]Surface (adaxial and abaxial).—Waxy.

[0062]Leaf dimensions.—40 mm. in length and 2 mm. in width (3 mm. nearthe leaf tip).

[0063]Leaf color (adaxial surface).—133BA and 131A with the bloom rubbedoff.

[0064]Leaf color (abaxial surface).—137A.

[0065]Fragrance.—None.

[0066] Flowers:

[0067]Type.—Inflorescence, solitary or 1-3 per stem.

[0068]Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent.

[0069]Flower dimensions.—25 mm. in height (including the calyx, corollaand petals) and 35 mm. in diameter.

[0070]Flower shape.—Disc shaped.

[0071]Throat depth.—15 mm. in depth.

[0072]Aspect.—Facing upward.

[0073]Bud dimensions.—12 mm. in height and 4 mm. in diameter.

[0074]Bud shape.—tubular and pointed.

[0075]Bud color.—46A,B.

[0076]Petals.—5 in one whorl.

[0077]Petals fused or unfused.—Unfused.

[0078]Petal margin.—Irregular with 1-4 mm. indentations.

[0079]Petal shape.—Fan shaped. 80° segment with strap forming the tubeattached below the ovary.

[0080]Petal color.—46C with a darker center of 53A.

[0081]Corolla tube color (outside).—155A.

[0082]Petal surface.—Sparkles.

[0083]Calyx dimensions.—5 mm. in width and 12 mm. in length.

[0084]Calyx color.—135B.

[0085]Epicalyx.—5 scales.

[0086]Epicalyx color.—135B.

[0087]Number of sepals.—5 in number.

[0088]Sepals fused or unfused.—Fused.

[0089]Sepal shape.—Tubular.

[0090]Sepal margins.—Point minutely toothed.

[0091]Sepal apex.—Aristulate.

[0092]Peduncle dimensions.—5 cm. in length and 1 mm. in width.

[0093]Peduncle color.—136B.

[0094]Peduncle surface.—Waxy.

[0095]Fragrance.—Moderate clove perfume.

[0096] Reproductive organs:

[0097]Stamens.—Ten in number.

[0098]Stamen color.—75C.

[0099]Anther color.—75C.

[0100]Anther shape.—Lanceolate.

[0101]Amount of pollen.—Low.

[0102]Pistil.—2.

[0103]Pistil color.—75C.

[0104]Pistil shape.—Hair-like.

[0105]Stigma.—Single.

[0106]Stigma color.—75C.

[0107]Style color.—75C.

[0108]Stigma dimensions.—0.5 mm. in width and 5 mm. in length.

[0109]Ovary position.—Superior.

[0110]Ovary color.—144B near top and 144C near bottom.

[0111]Ovary shape.—Oval.

[0112]Ovary dimensions.—7 mm. in height and 2 mm. in width.

[0113] Seed production:

[0114]Seeds.—Produced if pollinated with another variety, but will notself-pollinate.

[0115]Seed number.—When seed is produced there are 1-10 seeds produced.

[0116]Seed shape.—Rounded and flattened.

[0117]Seed surface.—Crinkled surface.

[0118]Seed color.—202A.

[0119]Seed dimensions.—2.5 mm. in diameter and 3 mm. in length.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘Red Dwarf’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.